At Duck Dog Trainer, honesty, integrity and clear communication are what we strive for. Through the years it has become very clear to me that not all of the people in the dog training business hold to these same values. I am writing this article to help readers be proactive in their dealings with a trainer whoever that may be. Hopefully, by following some of these suggestions, I can help you avoid ending up with a less than desirable outcome for your dog.
I believe one of the keys to being happy in many situations is being able to properly manage our expectations. This applies to relationships, jobs, vacations, business transactions, and yes even relating to your dog trainer. Every year I have several folks bring me a dog to train who has previously been with another dog trainer. Usually they are not happy with the job that was done which is exactly why the are coming to me. I learned a long time ago that it is not wise or pleasing to The Lord for me to talk bad about anyone… so I try not to. Here are five frustrations that my clients have expressed regarding their previous dog trainers.
Number five… They didn’t get to see their dog very often when the dog was being trained. While this is a very common complaint it is an easy one to avoid. When you bring your dog to a trainer, get him to explain in detail his schedule for training as well as the procedure for setting up visitation. Everyone likes to take a weekend break and to go on occasional vacations and your trainer is no different! Ask his schedule. For example, I generally take off Wednesday and Thursday. I also take 1-2 extra days of vacation a month with most coming during hunting season. While this may seem excessive to some, it is pretty common for a person with 25 yrs on the job! Most dog trainers like myself will have their assistant trainers handle training in their absence and the show will go on. It is recommended that you visit your dog on a monthly basis. The key here is clear communication and setting a visitation schedule in the beginning.
Number four… It seems like trainers charge too much! While this sounds true, remember that at a rate of $600 per month that breaks down to $20 a day. This includes cleaning, feeding, boarding, and training. This is cheaper than the daily rate at most boarding kennels which offer no training at all. When you look at the total value your dog is getting, it is well worth the investment.
Number three… My dog lost a lot of weight and seems too skinny. At Duck Dog Trainer, we have found a very high protein and very high fat content food that helps us keep weight on dogs. The problem is that some dogs are so hyper in the kennels that they burn every calorie they can eat plus some. Years ago I had a dog that stayed skinny no matter how hard I tried. After two different trips to the vet with nothing seeming to be wrong, the vet explained to me that just like people, some dogs tend to be overweight while others tend to be thin. He also explained that a little thin is healthier than overweight. I find that once dogs go back home they gain any weight they might have lost within a month or so. If you are concerned about your dog’s weight, be sure to discuss it with your trainer.
Number two… The trainer sent my dog home and said it was no good! Is my dog a failure? Well that depends…. Sometimes a dog and trainer just don’t match up well and a different trainer is all that is needed. Sometimes the training methods used are not sufficient and unfortunately some dogs just don’t have what it takes! This is especially true in retrievers where a high retrieving desire must be present to advance from basic gun dog training to advanced gun dog training. It is wise to ask your dog trainer each month if he is happy with your dogs progress and if he thinks the dog will continue to advance at a good rate.
The number one thing people who are unhappy with their trainer say is …. I just thought my dog should have been farther along. This is the easiest to solve. Simply a monthly visit and a phone call are all it takes. In today’s high tech world if you can’t make a visit then request a video. Your trainer should be able to summarize your dogs strengths as well as weaknesses and tell you the plans for the next month along with goals for the dog and what you should expect. Communication is the key! Talking to your trainer and staying involved will help your dog be great!
